The board of governors of a school district may provide protection from its own funds for the purpose of covering the liability of the district, its officers, agents, and employees, in lieu of carrying insurance in insurance companies as provided in Section 35208. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the board of education of the district from providing protection against such liability partly by means of its own funds and partly by means of insurance written by insurance companies as provided in Section 35208.